Detector mechanism for feeding apparatus



May 13, 1969 v. A. ZUGEL DETECTOR MECHANISM FOR FEEDING APPARATUS Sheet Filed June 14, 1967 R m. NE w u W Z A R m m V 2 G F ATTORNEYS y 3, 1969 v. A. ZUGEL 3,443,807

DETECTOR MECHANISM FOR FEEDING APPARATUS Filed June 14, 1967 Sheet 3 of 3 INVIZNTOR.

VICTOR A. ZUGEL BY ATTORNEYS May 13, 1969 v. A. ZUGEL DETECTOR MECHANISM FOR FEEDING APPARATUS Shee t 3 of3 Filed June 14, 1967 INVENTOR.

A. ZUGEL H 7 VICTOR ATTORNEYS United States ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A detector mechanism operates to detect when no or more than one signature is being conveyed by a transfer means of a signature handling mechanism. The detector mechanism includes first and second trip members cooperably associated with the transfer means and which are moved from a normal position to a tripped position when no or more than one signature is being conveyed by the transfer means, respectively, the trip members being operatively connected with an actuating means for actuating a control and being operable to effect movement of the actuating means to actuate the control in response to movement thereof from their normal position toward their tripped position. The detector mechanism also includes a cooperable member for locking the actuating means against movement toward its release position, when desired, and includes an adjusting means for adjusting the position or the second trip member relative to the transfer means for signatures of varying thicknesses.

The present invention relates to a detector mechanism, and more particularly to a detector mechanism for use in a feeding apparatus wherein sheet-like articles are adapted to be conveyed one at a time by a transfer means from one station to another and which is operable to detect and actuate a control when no or more than one sheet-like article is being conveyed by the transfer means.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved detector mechanism of the character described above and which includes first and second detecting means cooperably associated with the transfer means for detecting when no and more than one sheet is being transferred thereby, respectively, and in which the first and second detecting means are operatively connected with a common actuating means for actuating a control, preferably a control for stopping operation of the feeding apparatus, and are operable to effect movement of the actuating means to actuate the control when no or more than one sheet is being transferred by the transfer means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved detector mechanism, as defined in the preceding object, wherein the actuating means includes a member movable between first and second positions and which is biased toward the second position, and wherein the first and second detecting means are releasably connected with the actuating member and operatent 3,443,807 Patented May 13, 1969 able to release its connection therewith when no and more than one sheet is being conveyed by the transfer means to enable the actuating member to move toward its second position and actuate the control.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved detector mechanism, as defined in the next preceding object, and wherein the first and second detecting means comprises pivotally mounted trip members which are adapted to be respectively engaged by the transfer means and the sheet-like articles when no and more than one sheet-like article is being conveyed thereby, and wherein the trip members are connected with a latch member which is releasably connected with the actuating member, the respective trip members when engaged by the transfer means or sheetlike articles being moved to cause the latch member to be moved and release its connection with the actuating means to permit the latter to actuate the control.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved detector mechanism of the character described above and wherein the actuating means for actuating the control can be selectively locked against move-ment to render the detector mechanism ineffective to actuate the control and stop operation of the feeding apparatus when no or more than one sheetlike article is being conveyed.

Yet another object of the present invention is to pro vide a new and improved detector mechanism of the character described above and which includes a detector means cooperably assocated with the transfer means for detecting when more than one article is being conveyed thereby and wherein the detector means can be readily and easily adjusted toward and from the transfer means so as to be properly positioned relative thereto in accordance with the thickness of the sheet-like articles being conveyed.

The present invention also resides in certain novel constructions and arrangement of parts, and other objects, novel characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following detailed description and in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a feeding apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of part of the feeding mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of part of the feeding apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of another part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational of part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrow 66 thereof; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

The present invention provides a novel detector mechanism, and more particularly provides a detector mechanism for use in a feeding apparatus wherein sheetlike articles are adapted to be conveyed one at a time by a transfer means from one station to another and which is operable to detect when no or more than one sheet-like article is being conveyed by the transfer means. Although the detector mechanism could be used in various kinds of apparatuses for feeding or handling sheetlike articles it is particularly susceptible for use in a signature handling apparatus or machine and for the purposes of illustration is herein shown and described as being embodied in a signature handling machine 10.

The signature handling machine in the illustrated embodiment, has a plurality of spaced signature feeding stations, only two of which are shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings and designated by reference numerals 12 and 13. Signatures are adapted to be fed one at a time from each of the feeding stations 12, 13 and deposited onto a suitable strap or support 14 at an associated signature receiving station. The supports 14 are disposed above a planar table 15 having a longitudinally extending slot 16 located beneath the receiving stations. An endless conveyor 18 having pusher members 19 which extend through the slot 16 is provided for moving the signatures off the supports 14 onto and along the table 15, the signatures at proceeding receiving stations being moved on top of the signature from the preceding receiving station so that the signatures are gathered or grouped into packs for delivery to a suitable binding or stapling station, not shown, where the packs are bound or stapled together to form a book.

The signature handling machine 10 includes a suitable mechanism at each of the signature feeding stations 12, 13 for supporting a plurality of signatures to be fed to the signature conveyor 18. Since the mechanism at each of the feeding stations 12, 13 is substantially identical, only the mechanism at the feeding station 12 will be described in detail, and similar reference numerals will be used to designate similar parts of the mechanisms at each of the stations. The mechanism at the signature feeding station 12 includes a magazine or hopper 20 for supporting a plurality of signatures. The hopper 20 includes suitable support plates 21, 22 and a pair of spaced endless feed chains 23, 24 on which the signatures are supported. The chains 23, 24 are suitably carried by a pair of side supports 25, 26 attached to the machine 10 and moved in a direction to urge the signaturestoward a forward position against a front plate 27 of the magazine 20. The signa tures are supported in the magazine 20 on their edge. The mechanism at the signature feeding station also includes a signature handling or transfer means 28 operable to effect the removal of or extraction of individual signatures one at a time from the magazine 20 for transfer to the supports 14. The supply of signatures in the magazine 20 may be replenished upon depletion thereof by an operator standing at a loading station adjacent the machine and located to the right of the magazine 20, as viewed in FIG. 2.

The handling means 28 includes a pair of suction members 31 supported adjacent the front plate 27 of the magazine 20. The suction members 31 are intermittently connected to a suitable vacuum source (not shown) and movable toward the magazine 20 into engagement with the forwardmost signature and away from the magazine to draw a portion of the signature out of the magazine 20. The suction members .31 are oscillatable about a shaft 32 on which they are mounted. The shaft has a suitable linkage mechanism 33 connected thereto and to a cam control sucker operating shaft 36. The shaft 36 is oscillated in timed relationship with the operation of the signature handling machine 10 and actuates the linkage mechanisms 33 to move the sucker members 31 into engagement with the forwardmost signature in the magazine 20 and to pull at least the folded edge portion of the signature out of the magazine 20.

The signatures which are taken or extracted from the magazine 20 by the suction members 31. are picked up by a rotary transfer drum means 38. The transfer drum 38 is fixed on a shaft 41 rotatably supported by the side frames of the machine, not shown, and is rotatable in a predetermined timed relationship with the movement of the signature conveyor 18. The transfer drum carried at diametrically opposite portions, gripper members 42 and 43, which are adapted to grip the lower end of a signature which has been extracted from the magazine 20 by the suckers 31, and in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The gripper members 42, 43 are operated at predetermined times during the rotation of the drum means 38 to grip the signatures and to release the signatures by a cam means 45 which is supported on the shaft 41 and held against rotation with the shaft 41. Suitable cam follower members 47, 48 rotate on the cam 45 as the transfer drum 38 is rotated and the follower members 47, 48 are operatively connected through suitable mechanisms 50 and 5-1, respectively, to the gripper members 42, 43 so as to control opening and closing of the gripper members as desired.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the gripper members carry the signatures downwardly and away from the magazine 20, as indicated by the arrow 53 in FIG. 2, to a release point or receiving station above the signature conveyor 18 Where the grippers are opened to release the signatures. The signatures which are released by the grippers settle onto the straps or supports 14 located on the opposite sides of the endless conveyor 18. The straps 14 are supported by and disposed above the fiat planar table 15. The conveyor 18 has suitable upwardly projecting members 19 at spaced intervals therealong to engage the signatures on the straps 14 and move them off the straps onto the table 15 and then toward the stapling station. The signatures collected at the previous feeding stations and being conveyed by the conveyor 18 ride on the table 15 and pass underneath the straps 56.

The various drives for the chains 23, 24, conveyor 12, the drum 38 and for oscillating the shaft 36 can be of any suitable construction, and since they do not per se form a part of the present invention they have not been illustrated and described in detail.

Since the signatures fed from the feeding stations 12, 13 are successively received and grouped by the conveyor 18 and then delivered to a suitable binding or stapling station where the group of signatures are formed into a book, it is important that only one signature at a time be fed from the feeding stations to the receiving stations adjacent the conveyor 18. If no signature is fed from the feeding station, this signature will be missing from the book which is to be formed, and if more than one signature is fed, the book to be formed will have duplicate signatures therein.

In accordance with the provisions of the present invention, a novel detector mechanism 70 is provided at each of the feeding stations 12, 13 for detecting when no or more than one signature is being transferred by the drum means 38. Each of the detector mechanisms 70, in the preferred embodiment, is operable to actuate a control for stopping operation of the signature handling machine 10 and to provide a visual indication at its associated feeding station when no or more than one signature has been transferred by the transfer means 38 thereat. By automatically stopping operation of the signature handling machine and providing a visual indication at which feeding station no or more than one signature was fed, the operator can readily make the necessary signature addition or deletion and reset the detector mechanism at that station and then restart the machine. Since the detector mechanism 70 for each of the feeding stations 12, 13 is of an identical construction and operates in the same manner, only the detector mecahnism 70 for the feed station 12 will be described in detail, and similar reference numerals are used to designate corresponding parts of the detector mechanism at each of the feeding stations.

The detector mechanism 7 0 is supported by and between the side supports 25, 26 at the feeding station 12 and comprises, in general, first and second detecting means 71, 72

cooperatively associated with the transfer drum means 38 for detecting when no and more than one signature is being transferred by the transfer drum 38 between the feeding station and the release station. The first and second detecting means 71 and 72 are operatively connected with a common actuating means 74 for actuating a control element 75 and are operable to effect movement of the actuating means 74 to actuate the control element 75. The control element is operable to stop the operation of the signature handling machine and to provide a visual indication at the feed station so that the operator can readily determine at which feed station no or more than one signature has been fed.

The first detecting means 71 for detecting when no sheet is being transferred by the transfer drum 38 comprises a trip member 80 which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to a support rod or shaft 81 extending generally parallel to the rotational axis of the drum 38 and having its opposite ends secured to the side supports 25, 26. The trip member 80 at its forward end is provided with a cam portion 82 disposed adjacent the periphery 83 of the transfer drum 38.

The trip member 80 is adapted to be engaged by and moved in the direction of the arrow 84 from a normal position, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 3, to a tripped position by a cam means 85 carried by the transfer drum 38 when no signature is being conveyed thereby. The cam means 85 comprises a member 86 which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends by a pivot pin means 87 to a radially extending wall 88 of the transfer drum 38. The member 86 at its lower end, as viewed in FIG. 3, includes a radially extending, outwardly projecting cam portion 90 which extends through a slot 91 in the outer periphery of the transfer drum 38 and is located radially outwardly thereof. The member 86 at its upper end carries a weight 92 and is shaped such that the weight 92 biases or tends to move the lower cam portion 90 radially outwardly from the periphery 83 of the transfer drum 38 to the position shown in FIG. 3.

The cam portion 90 is adapted to be moved toward and into engagement with the periphery 83 of the drum 38 in opposition to the biasing force of the weighted end 92 by the signature when the latter is gripped by the grippers on the drum 38. The cam portion 82 of the trip member 80 is positioned relative to the cam portion 90 so as to have its forwardmost end spaced therefrom, when the cam portion 90 is in engagement with the periphery 83, a distance greater than the thickness of a signature to be transferred by the transfer drum 38.

When a signature is gripped by the grippers 42, 43 on the transfer drum 38, the signature engages and moves the cam portion 90 of the member 86 toward the drum 38 and prevents the same from engaging the trip member 80. However, when no signature is gripped by the grippers 42, 43 upon rotation of the transfer drum 38, the cam portion 90 will be biased outwardly away from the periphery 83 due to the weighted end 92 and will engage the cam portion 82 on the trip member 80 and move the latter in the direction of the arrow 84 from its normal position to its tripped position.

The second detecting means 72 for detecting when more than one signature is being conveyed by the transfer drum 38 is in the form of a trip means and comprises a generally H-shaped member 100 which is rotatably journalled at the upper end of its leftmost leg, as viewed in FIG. 3, on a support shaft 101 disposed generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum 38. The H-shaped member 100 carries a rod 102 which is slidably received in an opening 103 extending through the legs and cross piece of the H-shaped member. The rod 102 at its forward end, i.e., the end adjacent the peripher 83 of the drum 38 rotatably supports a roller 105. The rod 102 is adapted to be clamped to the H-shaped member by a thumb screw 106. The rod 102 is positioned relative to the member 100 such that the distance or gap between the periphery of the roller 105 and a reference screw 107 carried by the transfer drum 38 is at least as great as the thickness of one signature but less than the thickness of two signatures.

The trip means 72 is adapted to be moved about the axis of the shaft 101 in the direction of the arrow 108 from a normal position, as shown in the solid lines of FIG. 3, to a tripped position when more than one signature is being transferred by the transfer drum 38. When more than one signature is being transferred by the transfer drum 38 the thickness of the plural signatures will be such that the signatures will engage the roller 105 and move the trip means 72 in the direction of the arrow 108 toward its tripped position. When only one signature is being transferred by the transfer drum means 38 the space or gap between the roller 105 and the screw 107 on the periphery of the drum is such that the signature will pass therebetween without effecting movement of the trip means 72 toward its tripped position.

The trip member 80 and the trip means 72 are each operatively connected with the actuating means 74 for actuating the control element 75 and are operable to effect movement of the actuating means to actuate the control element 75 when either are moved toward their tripped positions. The actuating means 74 comprises a spring biased catch member 110 operatively associated with the control element 75 and a cooperable latch member 111 connected with the detecting means 71 and 72 and releasably connected to the catch member 110. The catch member 110 is pivotally mounted on a support rod 112 for movement in opposite directions between a first position, as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 4, in which it does not engage the control element 75 and a second position, as shown in FIG. 3 or by the solid lines in FIG. 4, in which it actuates the control element 75. The catch member 110 is biased toward its second position by a compression spring 114 having one end in abutting engagement with a support shaft 115 for supporting the sides 25, 26 and the other end in abutting engagement with the downwardly extending leg portion 116 on the catch member 110. A suitable dowel pin 117 carried by the leg portion 116 and extending through the spring is provided to guide the same to prevent the same from becoming disengaged from the catch member 110.

The catch member 110 is normally held in its first position in which it does not engage the control element 75 by the latch member 111. The latch member 111 is connected or secured at its forward end, i.e., its end adjacent the transfer drum 38, to the lower end of the left leg of the H-shaped member 100 and is connected intermediate its ends to the upper part of the right leg of the H-shaped member 100 by screws or bolts 118, 119. The trip member 80 is also connected to the latch member 111. To this end, the trip member 80 at its rearward end 120 is, bifurcated to provide a slot 121 which slidably receives the bolt 119.

The latch member 111 is movable from a first or normal position, as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 4, in which its rearward end 122 cooperably engages an abutment 123 on the upper side of the catch member 110 to hold the catch member 110 in its first position in opposition to the biasing force of the spring 114 and a second or release position, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 4, in which releases its engagement with the catch member 110 to allow the latter to be moved by the spring 114 toward its second position in which it actuates the control element 75. The latch member 111 is biased downwardly toward its normal position due to the fact that the major portion of the mass of the trip means 72 and the latch member 111 is located on the side of the shaft 101 adjacent the catch member 110.

The latch member 111 is movable from its normal position toward its release position in response to movement of either the trip means 71 or a trip member 80 from its normal position to its tripped position. As best shown in FIG. 3 when the trip member 80 is moved in the direction of the arrow 84 upon being tripped its rearward end 120 is moved upwardly in a counterclockwise direction. Movement of the rearward end of the trip member in this direction causes the member 100 to be moved upwardly in a counterclockwised irectiou which in turn effects movement of the latch member 111 upwardly from its normal position toward its release position. Likewise when the trip means 72 is moved in the direction of the arrow 108 upon being tripped, the member 100 thereof is moved upwardly in a counterclockwise direction which in turn effects movement of a latch member 111 upwardly from its normal position toward its release position.

As previously mentioned, when the catch member 110 is released for movement toward its second position it actuates the control element 75. To this end, the catch member 110 includes an elongated, fiat rearwardly extending part or strip-like member 130 which is slidably received in a generally I-shaped through slot 131 in the rearward wall 132 of bracket 133 secured to a support shaft 134 for supporting the side supports 25, 26. The slot 131 defines long and short vertically extending slot portions 131a and 1311), respectively. The elongated part 130 is movable within the vertically extending slot portion 131a between a first position in which its rearward end 135 is disposed at the bottom of the slot portion 131a and a second position in which its rearward end 135 is in engagement with the bracket 133 at the upper end of the slot portion 131a when the catch member 110 is moved between its first and second positions. The engagement between the member 130 and the bracket 133 at the upper end of the slot portion 131a provides a stop for positioning the catch member 110 in its second position. The elongated member 130 carries a cam portion 138 intermediate its ends which is adapted to engage a trip member 139 on the control element 75 in response to movement of the catch member 110 from its first position toward its second position. The control element 75, in the illustrated embodiment, is a trip switch which is normally closed and which is movable from its closed position to an open position when the cam portion 138 on the member 130 engages the trip member 139.

The switch 75 is in an electric circuit with the drive motors (not shown) for the drive means for the signature handling machine and effects de-energization of the same to stop the machine. The electric switch 75 also is an electric circuit with the indicator light 140, which is carried by the support bracket 132 to provide a visual indication to the operator to enable him to readily locate at which feeding station no or more than one signature has been fed. After the operator makes the necessary addition or deletion to the signatures grouped on the conveyor 12 adjacent this feed station, the detector mechanism can be reset by grasping the end 135 of the part 130 and returning the catch member 110 to its first position. The latch member 111, since it is biased downwardly will engage the abutment 123 on the catch member upon the latter being returned to its first position.

When desired, the detector mechanism can be rendered inoperative to stop the signature handling machine when either of the trip means 71 and 72 is tripped due to no or more than one signature being fed by the transfer drum means 38. To this end, the rearwardly extending member 130 is sufiiciently flexible to enable its rearward end 135 to be bent or moved laterally from the slot portion 131a to the slot portion 131b and positioned behind an abutment 151 located between the slots, the latter position being indicated by the phantom lines in FIG. 6. The slot portion 131b is of a lesser height than the slot portion 131a and the bracket 133 at the upper end of the slot portion 131!) provides a stop for engaging the member 130 to prevent the latter from moving toward its second position. Therefore, when either of the trip members are tripped and the latch member 111 moved to release its connection with the catch member 110, the catch membeer cannot move toward its second position due to the engagement between the rearward end portion of the member and the abutment surface defining the upper end of the slot portion 131b.

Another feature of the present invention is that the trip means 72 can be readily adjustably positioned relative to the reference screw 107 carried by the transfer drum means 38 to enable the gap therebetween to be set for the given thickness of the signatures being handled. To this end, the rod 102 and roller 105, which are slidably carried by the H-shaped member 100, are biased toward the head of the reference screw 107 by a compression spring 161. The compression spring has one end in abutting engagement with the right leg of the H-shaped member and the other end in abutting engagement with a shoulder 162 formed on the rod 102. Clamped to the rearward end of the rod 102 is a vertically extending member 163. The right leg of the H-shaped member and the member 163 at the lower ends rotatably support cylindrical rollers 164 and 165, respectively. When the rod 102 is unclamped by backing off the thumb screw 106, the spring 161 will move the rod and roller 106 toward the screw 107 until the periphery of the roller 165 engages the periphery of the roller 164.

To position the roller 105 relative to the reference screw 107 for a given signature thickness when the trip means 72 is in position as shown in FIG. 6, the thumb screw 106, which is threadably engaged with a U-shaped member secured to the H-shaped member 100, is backed off to allow the compression spring 161 to move the rod 102 toward the left until the roller 165 engages the roller 164. The reference screw 107, which is threadably connected to the drum 38, is then rotated until the head thereof engages or is in close proximity, i.e., spaced less than the thickness of one signature, from the periphery of the roller 105. The rod 102 is then moved toward the right, as viewed in FIG. 5, and a single signature is positioned between the cylindrical rollers 164, 165. The rod 102 is then released and the thumb screw 106 tightened to clamp the rod to the H-shaped member 100. This will automatically provide a space or gap between the roller 105 and the reference screw 107 at least as great as but less than twice the thickness of a single signature.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that when a single signature is being transferred by the transfer drum means 38, it will pass between the reference screw 107 and the roller 105 without tripping the trip means 72. However, when more than one signature is being transferred the plural signatures will engage the roller 105 and to cause the trip means 72 to be pivoted toward its trip position due to the fact that the space or gap between the roller 105 and the reference screw 107 is insufiicient to accommodate more than one signature.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the hereinbefore enumerated objects and others have been accomplished and that a new and improved detector mechanism 70 for use in signature handling machines or the like has been provided. To accomplish the aforesaid objects the detector mechanism 70 includes first and second detecting or sensing means 71 and 72 for detecting when no or more than one sheet-like article is being conveyed by the transfer means. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been fully illustrated and described herein, it is contemplated that other constructions and arrangements will be used in different environments.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A detector mechanism for use in a feeding apparatus wherein sheet-like articles are adapted to be conveyed one at a time by a transfer means from a first station to a second station and which is operable to detect when no and more than one article is being conveyed between said stations, said detector mechanism comprising a support means, an actuating means cooperably associated with a control element, said actuating means being supported by said support means for movement between first and second positions and being operable to actuate said control element when moved from its first position toward its second position, first and second means cooperably associated with said transfer means for detecting when no article and when more than one article is being conveyed by said transfer means between said stations, respectively, each of said first and second means being operatively connected with said actuating means and being independently operable to engage articles as they are being moved by said transfer means from said first station toward said second station and to effect movement of said actuating means from its first position toward its second position to actuate said control element when no sheet and more than one sheet is being conveyed by said transfer means between said stations, respectively.

2. A detector mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said control element is an electrical switch for controlling operation of the feeding apparatus.

3. A detector mechanism as defined in claim 1 and including means for restraining said actuating means against movement toward its second position to render the latter inoperative to actuate said control element.

4. A detector mechanism for use in a feeding apparatus wherein sheet-like articles are adapted to be conveyed one at a time by a rotatable transfer means from a first station to a second station and which is operable to detect when no and more than one article is being conveyed between said stations, said detector mechanism comprising first and second trip members cooperably associated with said transfer means and supported for movement between normal and tripped positions, means carried by said transfer means for engaging and moving said first trip member from its normal position toward its tripped position when no sheet is being conveyed by the transfer means, said second trip member being cooperably positioned relative to said transfer means such that it is engaged by the articles and moved from its normal position toward its trip position when more than one article is being conveyed by said transfer means, and an actuating means cooperably associated with a control element and supported for movement between first and second positions, said actuating means effecting actuation of said control element when moved from its first position toward its second position, said first and second trip members each being operatively connected with said actuating means and being operable to effect movement of said actuating means from its first position toward its second position in response to movement of either of said first and second trip members from their normal position toward their tripped positions.

5. A detector mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said rotatable transfer means has grippers for gripping and holding said articles against its outer periphery while the articles are being conveyed from said first station to said second station, and wherein said means for engaging and moving said first trip member comprises an element supported by said transfer means for movement in opposite directions and means for biasing said element to a first position in which a portion thereof is located outwardly of the periphery of the transfer means adjacent said grippers, said portion being in said first position and engageable with said first trip member when no article is being gripped by said grippers and being engaged by and moved toward the periphery of the transfer means in opposition to the biasing force of the biasing means by an article when the latter is gripped by the grippers on the transfer means.

6. A detector mechanism as defined in claim 5 wherein said element is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said transfer means and wherein said biasing means comprises a weight at the end of said element remote from said portion which tends to rotate said element toward said first position.

7. A detector mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said rotatable transfer means has an outer periphery provided with an opening and grippers for gripping and holding said articles against the outer periphery in covering relationship with said opening while the articles are being conveyed from said first station to said second station, and wherein said means for engaging and moving said first trip member comprises an element supported by said transfer means for movement in opposite directions and having a cam portion movable through said opening in the periphery of said transfer means and means for biasing said element toward a first position in which said cam portion is located outwardly from the periphery of said transfer means such that it will engage said first trip member, said cam portion being in said first position and engageable with said first trip member to move the latter toward its tripped position when no article is gripped by said grippers on said transfer means and being movable toward the outer periphery of said transfer means in opposition to the biasing force of said biasing means by an article when the latter is gripped by the grippers so that it will not engage said first trip member.

8. A detector mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said actuating means comprises a catch member sup ported for movement in opposite directions between said first and second positions, a means operatively connected with said catch member for biasing the same toward its second position and a latch member releasably connected to said catch member and movable between a first position in which it holds said catch member in its first position and a second position in which it is disengageable from said catch member to permit said biasing means to move said catch member toward its second position, and wherein said first and second trip members are each operatively connected with said latch member and are effective to move said latch members between its first and second positions when either is moved from its normal position toward its tripped position.

9. A detector mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein said first and second trip members are pivotally mounted for movement between said normal and tripped positions about axes extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said transfer means, and wherein said latch member is supported by at least one of said trip members, and wherein the mass of said one trip member and latch member on the side of the pivotal axis of said one trip member remote from said transfer means is greater than the mass of said one trip member and latch member on the side adjacent the transfer means whereby said latch member is biased toward its first position and said first and second trip means are biased toward their normal positions.

10. In a feeding apparatus wherein sheet-like articles are adapted to be conveyed one at a time between first and second stations by a transfer means, a support means, a detector mechanism carried by said support means and operable to detect when no and more than one article is being conveyed between said stations, said detector mechanism comprising an actuating means cooperably associated with a control element and supported by said support means for movement between first and second positions, said actuating means including a member for actuating said control element when said actuating means is moved from its first position toward its second position, first and second means cooperably associated with said transfer means for detecting when no article or more than one article is being conveyed between said stations, said first and second means each being operatively connected with said actuating means and operable to effect movement of said actuating means from its first position toward its second position when no or more than one article is being conveyed by the transfer means, respectively, and third means carried by said support means and cooperably engageable with said actuating member for restraining the same against movement from its first position toward its second position and thereby render the same ineffective for controlling actuation of said control element.

11. A detector mechanism as defined in claim wherein said third means and said actuating member are relatively movable between a first position in which said third means does not restrain said actuating member against movement toward its second position and a second position in which it cooperably engages said actuating member to restrain the latter against movement.

12. LA detector mechanism as defined in claim 10', wherein said third means is a stationary member having an abutment surface and wherein said actuating member includes an elongated flexible portion which is movable relative to said third means between a first position in which it does not engage said abutment surface and a second position in which it cooperably engages said abutment surface whereby said actuating member is restrained against movement toward its second position.

13. A detector mechanism as defined in claim 12 wherein said stationary member has a slot therethrough through which said flexible portion projects, said slot having first and second slot portions of different lengths, and wherein said abutment surface is at one end of said second slot portion, said flexible portion being received in said first slot portion to enable the catch membeer to be moved between its first and second positions when operation of the detector mechanism is desired and being received in said second slot portion when operation of the detector mechanism is not desired.

14. A detector mechanism for use in a feeding apparatus wherein sheet-like articles are adapted to be conveyed by a transfer means from one station to another and which is operable to detect and actuate a control element when more than a desired number of articles is being conveyed by said transfer means comprising a support means, a detector means cooperably associated with said transfer means for detecting when more than the desired number of articles is being conveyed by the transfer means, said detector means comprising a first member supported for movement in opposite directions between normal and tripped positions and which is biased toward its normal position, a second member supported by said first member for movement in opposite directions relative thereto, said second member having an end portion which is adapted to be positioned relative to reference means on said transfer means such that the distance therebetween is at least as great as the thickness of the desired number of articles but less than the thickness of said number plus one, said first and second members having cooperably engageable gauge surfaces, means operatively connected with said second member for biasing the same toward said reference means and for biasing its gauge surface toward the gauge surface on said first member, and means for manually securing said second member to said first member to prevent relative movement therebetween, said biasing means biasing the gauge surface on said second memher into engagement with the first gauge surface on said first member when said second member is not secured to said first member, said second member being adjustably positionable relative to said first member to position said end portion relative to said reference means by moving the second member in opposition to the biasing force of the biasing means and inserting said desired number of articles between said gauge surfaces and then securing said second member to said first member.

15. A detector mechanism as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for securing said second member to said first member is a releasable clamping means, and wherein said biasing means is a compression spring having its opposite end in abutting engagement with said first and second members, respectively.

16. A detector mechanism as defined in claim 14 wherein said first and second members each rotatably support a cylindrical roller whose outer periphery defines said gauge surface thereon.

17. A detector mechanism for use in a feeding ap paratus wherein sheet-like articles are adapted to be conveyed one at a time by a transfer means from a first station to a second station and which is operable to detect when no and more than one article is being conveyed between said stations, said detector mechanism comprising a support means, an actuating means cooperably associated with a control element, said actuating means being supported by said suport means for movement between first and second positions and being operable to actuate said control element when moved from its first position toward its second position, first and second means cooperably associated with said transfer mean for detecting when no article and when more than one article is being conveyed by said transfer means between said stations, respectively, each of said first and second means being operatively connected with said actuating means and being operable to effect movement of said actuating means from its first position toward its second position to actuate said control element when no sheet and more than one sheet is being conveyed by said transfer means between said stations respective ly, said actuating means including a first member supported for movement in opposite directions between said first and second positions, means operatively connected with said first member for biasing said member toward said second position and a second member releasably connected with said first member and movable between a first position in which it holds said first member in its first position and a second position in which it releases said first member for movement toward its second position, and wherein said first and second means are operatively connected with said second member and operable to move said second member from its first position toward its second position to enable said biasing means to move said first member toward its second position to actuate said control element when no and more than one article is being conveyed by the transfer means.

18. An assembly for use in handling sheet-like articles, said assembly comprising a magazine for holding a plurality of said sheet-like articles, a transfer drum mounted adjacent to a forward end of said magazine for rotation relative thereto to at least partially remove sheet-like articles from said magazine and to convey the sheet-like articles so removed to a receiving station, a control element, actuating means cooperatively associated with said control element, said actuating means being movable between first and second positions and being operable to actuate said control element when moved from said first position toward said second position, and detector means for detecting when no and more than one sheet-like article is being conveyed by said transfer drum from said magazine toward said receiving station while no and more than one sheet-like article is being moved under the influence of said transfer drum, said detector means including first sensor means mounted for movement through a first distance toward a peripheral surface of said transfer drum to engage a sheet-like article as it is moved toward said receiving station by said transfer drum to thereby detect the presence of the engaged sheet-like article, said first sensor means being movable relative to the peripheral surface of said transfer drum through a second distance to detect that no sheet-like article is being conveyed by said transfer drum, second sensor means for engaging a sheet-like article of a plurality of sheet-like articles as the plurality of sheet-like articles are being moved toward said receiving station by said transfer drum to thereby detect that more than one sheet-like article is being conveyed by said transfer drum, said second sensor means being positioned relative to the peripheral surface of said transfer drum so as to be moved away from the peripheral surface of said transfer drum by the aforesaid engage- 13 ment with a sheet-like article of a plurality of sheetlike articles being moved toward said receiving station by said transfer drum, said first sensor mean being operatively connected with said actuating means to move said actuating means from said first position toward said second position upon movement of said first sensor means through aid second distance to thereby actuate said control element upon the detection by said first sensor means that no sheet-like article is being conveyed by said transfer drum, said second sensor means being operatively connected with said actuating means to move said actuating means from said first position toward said second References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,179,403 4/1965 Gagg 27157 RICHARD E. A-EGERTER, Primary Examiner. 

